Going to America-a-a-ah
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Going to America-a-a-ah
Hi guys
I'm being relocated to Boston for work, for at least a year, maybe more.
From a regulations point of view, what would I need to do to start flying there?
I've got a UK NPPL (microlight 3-axis and group A) and about 160 hours in a combination of microlights and C152/172.
Thanks!
I'm being relocated to Boston for work, for at least a year, maybe more.
From a regulations point of view, what would I need to do to start flying there?
I've got a UK NPPL (microlight 3-axis and group A) and about 160 hours in a combination of microlights and C152/172.
Thanks!
Unfortunately 61.75 doesn't apply to an NPPL, since that is not an ICAO (i.e. internationally recognised) licence and therefore cannot be used as the basis for a piggyback FAA certificate.
Your options are probably (1) Upgrade your NPPL to an EASA PPL SEP before you go (rules changed on this recently - not as relatively straightforward as it once was) then use the 61.75 route on arrival; (2) Train for a US certificate when you get there, or; (3) Find an ultralight flight school or Club under Part 103.
Option (3) won't get you flying "Group A" in the US though.
Your options are probably (1) Upgrade your NPPL to an EASA PPL SEP before you go (rules changed on this recently - not as relatively straightforward as it once was) then use the 61.75 route on arrival; (2) Train for a US certificate when you get there, or; (3) Find an ultralight flight school or Club under Part 103.
Option (3) won't get you flying "Group A" in the US though.
Never heard of a UK NPPL. So much to know...so little time 
:
https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...pilot-licence/
:https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...pilot-licence/
By far your best bet is to find a school that will get you an FAA LSA license. If you have a visa that allows you to work you won't have a problem with that. You will almost certainly need to get TSA approval, but that's a straightforward exercise in bureaucracy.
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There could be an issue if you are working on a J visa. That only allows the training and conditions specified and you can't have an additional visa to cover the flight training.
An H1B or similar wouldn't restrict you.
Upgrading to a full PPL before you leave would allow you to get a US certificate under FAR 61.75 without any Visa conditions or TSA approval.
An H1B or similar wouldn't restrict you.
Upgrading to a full PPL before you leave would allow you to get a US certificate under FAR 61.75 without any Visa conditions or TSA approval.
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Go for an FAA PPL. You will be credited with the hours with the ICAO compliant instructors who trained you for the NPPL SSEA. The FBO will sort the TSA clearance for you. They are legally obliged to screen applicants and will not apply to the TSA for clearance unless they are satisfied all is in order. It is not as if they are teaching you to fly and "the FAA have confirmed 14 CFR 61.3 permits the holder of a UK-issued sub-ICAO licence, such as the NPPL or LAPL, to operate a US (N) registered aircraft within the UK."
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
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Go for an FAA PPL. You will be credited with the hours with the ICAO compliant instructors who trained you for the NPPL SSEA. The FBO will sort the TSA clearance for you. They are legally obliged to screen applicants and will not apply to the TSA for clearance unless they are satisfied all is in order. It is not as if they are teaching you to fly and "the FAA have confirmed 14 CFR 61.3 permits the holder of a UK-issued sub-ICAO licence, such as the NPPL or LAPL, to operate a US (N) registered aircraft within the UK."
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
May I ask if an EASA LAPL is of any use in obtaining a reciprocal US licence, even a Sport or Recreational Pilots License? Do you need an EASA Class 2 level medical? (I have an LAPL Medical)
I may be proved wrong but when I applied for my piggy back licence nothing under a Full PPL, Flight Crew Licence with a class two medical would get you a Piggy Back licence. So answer is no, you need a Full PPL with class two medical.
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The LAPL medical is very similar to the FAA Class 3, required for a PPL. I should know, because I have one examination and pay for two.
